5 ways to have plenty of summer fun at the Washington Pavilion

This paid piece is sponsored by Washington Pavilion Management Inc.

From new exhibitions to entertainment for all ages – plus ice cream – the Washington Pavilion is waiting to fill your summer with fun.

There’s a lot happening – and more new reasons to visit in the weeks ahead. Here’s an inside look at five ways you can make the most of your summer. 

Eat ice cream

Here’s your scoop for the summer – or maybe multiple scoops. Sioux Falls’ favorite Parlour is open and ready to treat you this summer with expanded hours.

Stop by the second floor of the Washington Pavilion, and try nine gourmet, rotating flavors. You don’t need to purchase a ticket to the Washington Pavilion or be a member to visit Parlour.

“It’s outstanding ice cream, and we’re so proud to offer it at the Washington Pavilion,” said Cameron Ostrom, director of sales and administration.

“We know many people also enjoy making Parlour part of their summer evenings downtown, so we’re happy to expand hours until 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the season.”

Here’s what to know to plan your visit. 

Be entertained – no matter what your age

Is your household all about Bluey? Have we got a hot ticket for you. “Bluey’s Big Play,” a theatrical adaptation of the hit children’s series, arrives at the Washington Pavilion in July. Click here for details and tickets.

Other exciting entertainment options include “SAW The Musical,” a parody of the horror movie with the same name, and concerts from popular country artists Deana Carter  and Lonestar.

For a complete guide to summer entertainment, click here. 

Credit: Taylor Ballantyne LLC

Embrace the arts

You have just one more week to take in the exhibition that has drawn almost 25,000 people to the Visual Arts Center. “WOMEN: A Century of Change” features images from the National Geographic archives, revealing the lives of women worldwide.

“For those who have not had a chance to see it yet, they should definitely get down here before it closes at the end of the month,” said Madelyn Grogan, director of education and museums.

“This exhibition is such an amazing display of love and strength of women throughout our world and across decades of time. I have yet to meet a person who has seen the exhibition and has not made at least one personal connection with the work.”

The exhibition is in town until Saturday.

Additionally, there are many other exhibitions in the Visual Arts Center you might not have seen yet.

For instance, Oscar Howe Legacy Across Four Generations is open through Sept. 1, exploring the impact and influence of Howe’s work by showcasing the work of 16 artists from various decades succeeding Howe, who paved a path for Native artists.

“We are looking forward to opening two new exhibitions this summer featuring local artists,” Grogan added. “Their works are unique and fun, and we look forward to the programming we will have in conjunction with these exhibitions.”

To learn more about all exhibitions available at the Visual Arts Center’s eight galleries, click here. 

Cosmos and Cocktails

The Washington Pavilion’s popular Cosmos and Cocktails event returns from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday with a fun Zodiac theme and the premiere of a Sweetman Planetarium original production, “Zodiac Skies.”

“Our planetarium creator, Matt, is working on a live show that is all about the ties of astrology and astronomy and then constellations of the Zodiac,” Grogan said.

“We will also be featuring our ‘Tarot: The Art of Fortune’ exhibition in the Visual Arts Center. The exhibition explores that deep history, as well as the resurgence, of tarot into popular culture.

“The artists included create work in various mediums, from ceramic to painting to rug-making.”

This adults-only event includes unlimited access to the Kirby Science Discovery Center and Visual Arts Center, a showing in the Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium, plus opportunities to purchase food, ice cream, beer, wine, specialty cocktails and mocktails.

To learn more and reserve your tickets, click here.

New traveling exhibition: ‘Sun, Earth, Universe’

A new traveling exhibition arrives by July in the Kirby Science Discovery Center offering fun and engaging activities for all ages.

“Sun, Earth, Universe” invites guests to follow the design-build-test cycle of engineering and build a model spacecraft for their own mission to space.

Spin a tumbler of 10,000 beads, representing all the stars we can see from Earth to search for the unique one that represents our sun.

Reveal hidden images using the same tools NASA scientists employ to explore the otherwise invisible forces and energy of the universe.

Take a break in the seating area, and play the Your Mission to Space board game, or help younger visitors pilot rovers across the Mars landscape play table.

“These fun experiences — and many more — introduce visitors to ongoing NASA research in the fields of heliophysics, Earth science, planetary science and astrophysics, and encourage them to imagine what the future of Earth and space science might hold,” Grogan said.

“We anticipate it will be ready for guests by July if not sooner!”

For your complete guide to this summer at the Washington Pavilion, start here.